What Matters in Increasing Community College Students’ Upward Transfer to the Baccalaureate Degree: Findings from the Beginning Postsecondary Study 2003-2009

  1. A few community college characteristics and state transfer policy components (such as a state articulation policy, cooperative articulation agreements, transfer data reporting, etc.) demonstrated a statistically significant association with individual upward transfer probability within 6 years of community college entry.
  2. Gross state product (GSP) per capita is a positive and significant predictor of individual transfer probability.
  3. They found a positive association between the presence of a statewide transfer guide and students’ upward transfer probability.
  4. For first-generation students, the presence of common course numbering (identical course numbering for similar courses between 2-year and 4-year institutions should facilitate ease of transfer and reduce the number of students taking non-transferable credits) is associated with much greater odds of transfer.
  5. The presence of a state-adopted transferable general education curriculum was negatively associated with upward transfer probability for STEM/ humanities/ education majors.
  6. For transfer-oriented student majors, the presence of a state articulation and transfer policy is significantly associated with upward transfer probability.
  7. Student characteristics found to be influential and positive for increasing upward transfer probability included: having an intention for upward transfer at entry, attending primarily full-time, working between 1 and 19 h per week (not more or less), and declaring a transfer-oriented major in STEM, Arts and Social/Behavioral Sciences, or Education.
  8. Student-level factors that were negatively associated with upward transfer probability when controlling for state and institution characteristics included: attending primarily part-time; taking any remedial courses in the first year; and being first generation to earn a BA (both low-income and not low-income first generation students).
  9. Racial identity did not explain variance in transfer probability after controlling for low-income and first generation status.
  10. The college’s average proportion of associate’s degree completions in health and vocational fields, majors have significantly lower transfer probability overall. This is an indicator of institutional focus.
  11. College average transfer-out rate was also a significant predictor of upward transfer probability. However, a college’s ”transfer climate” apparently has its primary impact on those who planned to transfer initially.